Denzel Washington joins grand opening of August Wilson House

Brenda Tate walked past August Wilson’s childhood home many times. She said she lived next door to the famous Pittsburgh playwright while growing up in the Hill District.

When she heard the news of his home being preserved and transformed into an arts center, she was thrilled.

“This is amazing,” she said. “Now when you walk out of your front door and take a few steps down the street, you’re in August Wilson land.”

The August Wilson House host committee held a grand opening celebration for Wilson’s childhood home Saturday afternoon. More than 500 people came to witness the historic moment.

The event featured many speakers, including Wilson’s daughter Sakina Ansari-Wilson; Constanza Romero, Wilson’s wife; and Academy Award-winning actor Denzel Washington, who played Troy Maxson in the film adaptation of Wilson’s play “Fences.”

Washington took the time to shout-out the donors who helped contribute to getting Wilson’s house preserved.

“I want to thank the community,” Washington said. “He’s yours. You are his.”

Denzel Washington came out to give thanks and say a few remarks at the grand opening celebration for August Wilson's home.

He played Troy Maxson in the film adaption of Wilson's play "Fences." pic.twitter.com/n1kjgFaxz5

— Tanisha Thomas (@tanishajanae) August 13, 2022

The Daisy Wilson Artist Community Inc., named for Wilson’s mother, is a nonprofit dedicated to the revitalization of the August Wilson House. It led the house project. The house will serve as an arts center offering programming, workshops and panel discussions. It will include artifacts from Wilson’s life.

One of Wilson’s plays, “Jitney,” will be performed in the backyard of his home through Sept. 18.

There are plans to recognize the former grocery store in the house, said Denise Turner, chief executive and board president of August Wilson House.

Several activities were slated for Saturday, including a tour of the house for media and VIPs, a VIP Gala Celebration and a community dance party.

Monroeville resident Kofi Agyei, a percussionist who was performing at the event, said it was an honor to be able to witness history while participating in it.

“We don’t always properly honor old things, so it is nice to see them invest time into something my future children will be able to see in the future,” he said. “It’s special.”

Pittsburgh Mayor Ed Gainey said the grand opening felt special to him personally because Wilson was the commencement speaker at his graduation at Morgan State University.

The mayor said there should not be a child who does not know who August Wilson is.

“A commencement speaker who created the first play that talked about a mayor of color in this city,” Gainey said. “My same commencement speaker who birthed this idea years later was manifesting cause of God’s will and me.”

Paul Ellis Jr., Wilson’s nephew, acquired his uncle’s home in 2005. He told the crowd about the pressure of preserving the home and what it meant to have his uncle entrust him with his legacy. He worked for more than a decade to bring Wilson’s vision to life.

Ellis received a commemoration from Pittsburgh Councilman R. Daniel Lavelle to officially declare Aug. 13 “Paul Ellis Jr. Day.”

“I’m almost speechless,” he said. “This is incredible. I can’t even express how I feel right now.”

Demeatria Boccella, director of programs with August Wilson House, said it was a blessing to witness so many people attend the grand opening celebration. She said she was still processing everything after the ribbon and speeches were done.

“Just to see so many people come to celebrate this historic moment in the Hill District is extraordinary,” she said.